How we compare.
What goes into a guide.

Starting with the decision you need to make

A good comparison needs a clear starting point. Someone choosing a coffee machine has different questions from someone booking an airport transfer or looking for accounting software. We organise each guide around that particular decision, rather than applying the same checklist to every subject.

The options in a guide form a shortlist. They are not an exhaustive list of everything available, and their order does not automatically indicate a ranking. Where we identify a particular pick, the guide should explain why it has been highlighted and who might find it useful.

Looking at the details that affect everyday use

We look at published product specifications and service information, including the provider’s own website. The comparison tables bring together details relevant to the subject, while the individual summaries give those details some context.

For a product, that might mean replacement parts, charging arrangements or what comes in the box. For a service, it could be coverage, booking terms or the support available. The aim is to help you judge whether an option fits your circumstances, rather than simply repeating a long list of features.

A comparison based on published information is different from a hands-on review. Unless a guide specifically describes testing we have carried out, you should read it as a comparison of available information. Illustrative images help show the subject; they are not evidence that we have used a product or booked a service.

Price is only part of the picture

A low starting price can be useful, but it rarely tells the whole story. Delivery charges, subscription renewals, optional extras and the cost of keeping a product in use can all change the comparison. Where these matter, our guides point out the details worth checking.

Prices, offers and availability can change after a page is written. Before ordering, follow the provider’s link and confirm the current price, exact model or service, and any terms that affect your purchase. When comparing two offers, make sure they cover the same things.

What Editor’s Choice means

Editor’s Choice gives a product or service a more prominent place on the website. It is a way to highlight an option and explain its appeal, rather than a promise that it will be the right choice for everyone.

Some featured placements are paid for by the business being included. Payment can influence which business receives that placement, so an Editor’s Choice label should not be taken as an independent award. Paid features should be identified on the relevant page, with more detail available in our commercial disclosure.

The useful part of any feature is the information behind it: what is offered, which needs it may suit and what you should check before buying. Read the comparison alongside the provider’s own information and consider the other options too.